Cotton-boll extracting and cleaning device



June 15 1926.

G. E. EVANS COTTON BOLL EXTRACTING AND CLEANING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16, 1925 INVENTOR ffia axzs BY f ATTORNEY June 15 1926.

1 G. E. EVANS C OTTON BOLD EXTRACTING AND CLEANING DEVICE Filed July 16, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v JWLmnfot 6R5 51/4/75 June 15 1926.

1,588,881 G. E. EVANS v COTTON BULL EXTRACTING AND CLEANING DEVICE Filed July 16, 1925 3 sheets sheec '5 QQ v N bits of rock,

Patented June 15, 1926.

1,588,833 rarest rice.

AGEQBGE 12E. invsnsaor -.wA.oo, TEXAS.

COTT N-BOLL'EXTRACTINGAND CLEANING DEVICE.

, Application filed July 16, 1925. Serial No. 43,942.

This invention relates to new and useful iniprovenici'its in cotton boll-extracting and cleaning devices.

'l l'gie object of the invention is to provide a device adapted to be connected in the .air suction line leading to a cotton gin stand and arranged to extract burs from the cotton bolls as Well as dirt and other extraneous matter, vin an improved and etlicacious manner.

A particular object ot the invention is to piovidenieans at the entrance to the de- -.v1ceft'or dividing the air currents, whereby separate current lanes. are provided above and belowthe cotton engaging elements; the

currents inthe lower lane carrying the burs and cotton into engagement with sald eleinents and also conducting the burs and extraneous inatterjl'rom the device; while the currents in the upper laneactto doli' the cotton and conduct it to a pointer" discharge.

A'turthcr object of the invention is to so balance the upper. and lower air cu rreuts that a each will act independently-0t the other and ,coiu'iter'dratt or back lash willrbe substantially obviated.

Another object oi the invention is to provide means in the lowerair current lane com erating with the saws oi the cotton engaging. elements, to deflect the lighter material geinent with said saws and also heavier 1natter,-such as stones, nails and other extraneous niatcrial, to pass Without contacting with the saws, thereby, reducing the tire, hazard.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vertically adjustable bottoin l'or the lower air current lane, vhezeby the said lane may be enlar 'ed orrcstricted according to the condition of the cotton.

A coi'istruction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

"The invention will be more readily understood trolna reading or" the following specili 'ation, and by reference to the acco1npanyin; drawings. in Whichan example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional Y of a device constructed iinaccordance With my invention,

Fig. 2 is r a. transverse vertical sectional \lGW taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1,

hi 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 of Fig. 1,

l'lig'. i is an enlarged partial vertical sectional View of the air current control,

stand.

an upper air lane.

Fig. 5 is a detail of the deflector adjusting means,

Fig. 6 is aplan View oi a portion'ot; the

adjusting links.

Fig. "4" is a sectional View oft-hei-bottom adjusting means,

'11 and a stationary bottom 12st its entrant end. At/the saidcentrant end is connected a reduced air flue 13 through which thecotton and bolls are conveyedtothehousing and in which a suitable boll breaker 14 is connected. A barrier and separating member in the form of a. cylindrical screen-15 is mounted in the. entrant endot thehousing relatively above the flue and contiguous: to the top of the housing.

'A-jtlareboard 16 inclines 110111' the-flue upvto'the central portion of the surface of the screcnand forms a throat. An air admitting duct 17 is formed above theflue and board 16 and has. a door-18 hinged atits entrance, (Fig. i). The outward or closing movement of the door is-liniited by a transverse stop 19 and the'doo-r may be prevented from entirely closing by .a set-scre-W 21 threaded in a bracket 20. For closingthe underlying the duct 17 and fastened at its opposite. end to the housing. The spring tends to close the-door; While the suction in the housing and duct tend to open the door.

At its discharge end the housing is connected to the usual suction flue through which the cotton is conveyed to: the gin Transversely mounted saw members or drums 25-are disposed" longitudinally of the housing in alternate relationto kicker rollers 26. These-parts 25 and 26 constitute a train or series of cotton treating elements and it will be notedthat the drums and rollers are iinperforate and are in such relation as to form a barrier or divider between the upper. and lower portions of thehousing, thereby, producing a lower airlane' and Attention is also called to the fact that, the entrant end of the train is nearer the top of the housing than the discharge end; thus the upper lane flares forwardly, reference being had to the direction of travel of the materials, while the lower lane converges forwardly.

Between the screen and the first kicker roll is mounted a wedge shaped deflector 2? having its smaller end close to the screen and its larger end concaved to receive the kicker roller. This deflector has its longitudinal axis in line with the transverse axis of the screen so as to divide the air currents passing through the screen and deflect them into the upper and lower lanes.

The object of the foregoing structure is to separaie the cotton from the burs and extraneous matter; to divert the cotton into the upper lane while the burs are retained in the lower lane and to conduct said materials along their respective lanes without interference, one with the other. The particular construction of the drums and the rollers 26 is not essential to the invention; however the drum illustrated has short saw teeth pointed in the direction of rotation and disposed in circumferential rows on the drum (Fig. 2) and also spaced. in comparatively close relation. The kicker rolls being set in advance of the drums and revolving in a clockwise direction need only to have short prongs or studs so as to knock from the teeth of the forward saws such burs and other material tending to pass to the upper lane. The teeth of the rear saws will cast down any non-clinging material attempting to enter between said teeth and the rear sides of the rollers.

It will be apparent that the mass of cotton and burs entering through the flue 13 will expand in the throatand while a portion of the air currents will pass up through the screen to the upper lane, the remaining portion of the air currents and the cotton and burs will pass along the lower lane. The screen 15 and deflector 27 will divert the cotton and burs into lower lane and the cotton will be caught up by the saw teeth and carried up into the upper lane where it vill be doii'ed from the teeth and conducted along said lane which may thus be called the cotton lane. The burs and extraneous matter such as nails, stones, stems, etc., will be conducted along the lower lane which for descriptive purposes may be c: lled the bur lane.

In order that the cotton may be properly acted upon I have found it advisable to ob struct the bur lane. To the forward end of the stationary bottom 12 and the deflector 2? I hinge an adjustable bottom 28 movable vertically between the side boards 11. Flexible packing strips 29 fastened to the side edges of said bottom (Fig. 8) exclude air 0 that the bottom may be adjusted without affecting the conducting air currents.

On the forward end of the bottom is a depending apron 30 at each end of which (Figs. 2 and 7) upright rack bars 31 are mounted. Pinions 32 fastened on a transverse shaft 33 engage said bars. A sprocket wheel 34 is mounted on the outer end of the shaft and supports a sprocket chain By suitably operating the chain the shaft is revolved and the bottom adjusted toward and from the train of cotton treating elements.

lVhile the adjustable bottom will retard the passage. particularly toward the discharge end of the bur lane, additional means is usually required to deflect the cotton upward toward the saw teeth of the drum. For this purpose I journal transverse rock shafts 36 in the bottom 28 and on each shaft arrange a plurality of closely spaced fingers 37 (Fig. 3) inclining forwardly under the drums Q5. The lingers and shafts constitute combs and the material will pass over the upper ends thereof and thus be deflected against said drums. The length of the fingers is controlled by the position of the respective drums.

In order to operate the combs in unison and easily, each rock shaft has near each end an arm 38 depending through a suitably packed slot 3.) in the bottom 28. On each side these arms are connected by links it) (Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 6) suitably bolted together at 41 and slotted so as to permit of relative adjustment. Adjacent the hinge of the bottom 29 a pair of gear segments 42 are mounted on said bottom concentric to the first rock shaft 36. its is shown in Fig. 3 the arms 38 of this shaft have journaled therein a transverse shaft 1-8 to which the links are pivoted. Pinions ldfastencd on this shaft (Figs. 3 and 5) engage the segments and when the shaft is revolved said pinions travel on the segments thus swinging the arms 38 and the arms 38 by means of the links 40. lly this means the inclination of fingers 37 is changed. F or revolving the shaft 13 a sprocket 45 mounted thereon is revolved by a chain 4-6 in any suitable manner.

At the discharge end of the housing I mount a second cylinder 17 with a barrier 48 extending toward the last drum 25. A flexible wiper 1-9 carried by the housing cleans the surface of the drum and prevents burs passing to the upper lane. A discharge spout 50 leads from the cotton lane and connected to the flue not shown) leading to the gin stand. A hopper 51 depends from the housing and the bur lane leads to this hopper. At the bottom of the hopper I mount a transverse conveyor trough having a screw conveyor 53. At one end the trough opens into a cylindrical box 54 having a revolving gate or dropper 55 arrang 'l to discharge the burs and other matter without admitting air. If desired the conveyor and trough may be omitted and a box 54 and a gate 55 'e'xtendedentirely across the bottom of hopper as is shown in Fig. 9.

It will be apparent that many modifications of the device may be made. In Fl 10 I have a structure in which the drums and kicker rollers 26 are omitted and in place t-hereot I use'saw cylinders composed of circular saws 56 having spacer blocks 57 therebetween. Transverse division bars 58 are interposed between the saw cylinders. Ribs 39 fastened to bars pass between the saws immediately under the spacer blocks. This arrangement prohibits the passage of the burs into the cotton lane and functionsthe same as the drum and kicker roller form.

In operating the device the cotton is removed from the wagon or other storage in the usual manner by means of an air suction conveyor or fine. After passing through-the boll breaker 14, which will crack and open the bollie cotton, the cotton and burs are conducted by the line 13 to the entrance to the device. The movable parts of the device are driven in any suitable manner. A the cotton and burs enter the throat of the device they spread and a portion of the air currents pass up through the screen, the barrier 27 dividing the upper from the lower air currents.

The cotton and burs passing along the lower or bur laneare deflected into engagement with the saw teeth of the drums 25 by the fingers 3'? oi the combs. The drums and kicker rollers 26 being rotated in aclockwise direction will pick up the cotton and repel the burs. The cotton is carried into the upper lane and dolled from the saw teeth by the air currents. The burs and extraneous matter being cast down by the kicker rollers will pass over and tl'rrongh the combs. It is pointed out that-the direction of travel of the air currents is substantially tangential to the tops and bottoms of the drums and the said rollers being smaller in diameter and being located therebetwe'en but are spaced sufiiciently from the drums to allow the up per and lower currents to equalize.

Each successive drum and kicker roller will repeat the operation until all of the cotton and burs are se arated. The cotton will pass out through me spout with the air mirrents from both lanes, the lower air currents passing through the screen i7.- '.l.he

burs, dirt, bits of rock and extraneous matler will pass into the hopper 51. The con- \eyor 53 will carry this material tothe gate 55 which will discharge it.

It the material is passing too rapidly under the saws or is being unnecessarily retarded the operator merely has to operate the. chain 46 to'rotate the shaft 43 to'operate the links 4-0 and change the'inclination of the combs. Where thecondition of the cot-- ton requires a greater space to pass in the ing device, an elongated housin lower lane, as where the bolls are damp and tough, the chain 35 may be operated to rotate the shaft 33 and pinions 32, thus swinging the bottom down and moving the lingers 37 from the saw drun'is.

In numerous instances the intake of air is cut oil in advance of the flue l3 and when this happens the conveying of cotton will stop. F or this reason the door 18 (Fig. a) is provided. When the suction in the fine 13 is defeated the vacuum created will pull the door open against the tension of the spring 23. Just as soon as this condition is over come the door will be released and will close or abut the screw 21. It it is desired to admit'air to the upper or cotton lane so as to control the passage 01": cotton there through the screw 21 is adjusted to admit a ccrtain amount of air.

By reason of the air admitted through the opening of the door 18, the suction inthe flue 13 is of course red iced and therefore the quantity of cotton delivered to the de vice will be reduced.

Various changes in the sire and shape of the difi'erent parts,as Well as modifications and alterations may be made "ithin the scope of the appended claims;

vVhat I claim, is:

1. In a cotton boll extracting and clean 1. train oi cotton treating elements therein, an air barrier at the entrance diverting the air currents int-o lanes immediately above and below the treating elements and contiguous thereto, and means for separately discharging the cotton and burs from the device.

2. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing, a train of cotton-treating elements therein, an air barrier at the entrance diverting the air currents into lanes above and below the treating elements, means for separately discharging' the cotton and burs "from the device. and deflectors below the treating elements to deflect the cotton and burs toward the same.

3. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elonoated housing, a train of cotton treating elements therein, an air barrier at the entrance diverting the air currents into lanes above and below the treatin'g'elements, means for separately discharging the cotton and burs from the device, deflectors below the treating; elements to deflect the cotton and burs toward the same, and an ad ustal le bottom carrying said deflectors.

4. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing, a train of cotton treating elements therein, an air barrier at the entrance diverting the air currents into lanes above and below the treating elements, means for separately discharging-the cotton and burs from the device, deflectors below the treating elements to-deflect the cotton and burs toward the same, and means for simultaneously adjusting the deflectors.

5. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing, a train of cotton treating elements therein, an air barrier at the entrance diverting the air currents into lanes above and below the treating elements, means tor separately dis charging the cotton and burs from the device, deflectors below the. treating elements to deflect the cotton and burs toward the same, an adjustable bottom carrying said deflectors, and means for simultaneously adjusting the deflectors.

6. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, a housing, a flue entering said housing, a screen adjacent the flue entrance, a barrier extending from the screen for diverting the air currents into upper and lower lanes extending forwardly in the housing, and cotton treating elements in the housing between the lanes for delivering the cotton to the upper lane and the burs to the lower lane.

7. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, a housing, a flue entering said housing, a screen adjacent the flue entrance, a barrier extending from the screen for diverting the air currents into upper and lower lanes extending forwardly in the housing, cotton treating elements in the housing between the lanes tor delivering the cotton to the upper lane and the burs to the lower lane, and means for separately discharging the cotton and the burs.

8. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, a housing, a flue entering said housing, a screen adjacent the flue entrance, a barrier extending from the screen for diverting the air currents into upper and lower lanes extending forwardly in the housing, cotton treating elements in the housing between the lanes for delivering the cotton to the upper lane and the burs to the lower lane, and means for admitting air to the upper portion of the screen and above the flue entrance.

9. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, a housing, a flue entering said housing, a screen adjacent the flue entrance, a barrier extending from the screen for diverting the air currents into upper and lower lanes extending forwardly in the housing, cotton treating elements in the housing be tween the lanes for delivering the cotton to the upper lane and the burs to the lower lane, a second screen at the end of the train. of elements, an air and cotton outlet above the second screen, and a bur discharge below the second screen.

10. In a cotton boll extracting and clean ing device, a housing, a flue entering said housing, a screen cylinder adjacent and extending above said entrance, a throat in the housing flaring to said screen, an air admitting duct above the flue and throat leading to the screen, a closure for said duct, an air barrier dividing the air currents passing from the screen into upper and lower conducting lanes in the housing, and means for delivering cotton to the upper lane and retaining burs in the lower lane.

11. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, a housing, a flue entering said housing, a screen cylinder adjacent and extending above said entrance, a throat in the housing flaring to said screen, an air ad initting duct above the flue and throat leading to the screen, a closure for said duct, an air barrier dividing the air currents passing from the screen into upper and lower conducting lanes in the housing, means for delivering cotton to the upper lane and retaining burs in the lower lane, and resilient means for shutting the closure set to yield to a suction, whereby the closure is opened.

12' In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing having an entrance at one end and a discharge at the other end, a train of cotton treating elements dividing the housing into upper and lower lanes, and means for dividing entrant air currents and diverting them into the upper and lower lanes, said train of elements inclining toward the discharge end of the housing, whereby the upper lane flares forwardly and the lower lane converges forwardly.

13. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing having an entrance at one end and a discharge at the other end, a train of cotton treating elements dividing the housing into upper and lower lanes, means for dividing entrant air currents and diverting them into the upper and lower lanes, said train of elements in clining toward the discharge end of the housing, whereby the upper lane flares torwardly and the lower lane converges forwardly, and a vertically iuljustable bottom under the lower lane.

14-. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing having an entrance at one end and a discharge at the other end, a train oil cotton treating elen'ients dividing the housing into upper and lower lanes, means for dividing entrant air currents and divertii'ig them into the upper and lower lanes, said train of elements inclining toward the discharge end 01 the housing, whereby the upper lane flares forwardly and the lower lane converges forwardly, a vertically adjustable bottom under the lower lane, and inclined deflectors in the lower lane of the housing directed toward the cotton treating elements.

15. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing having an entrance at one end and a discharge at the other end, a train of cotton treating,- elements dividing the housing into upper and lower lanes, means tor dividing entrant air currents and diverting them into the upper and lower lanes, said train of elements inclining toward the discharge end of the housing, whereby the upper lane flares forwardly and the lower lane converges forwardly, a vertically adjustable bottom under the lower lane, and inclined deflectors in the lower lane of the housing directed toward the cotton treating elements, each deflector comprising; a plurality of spaced fingers.

16. In a cotton boll extracting and cleaning device, an elongated housing, a train of cotton treating elements therein, means for diverting entrant air currents concurrently into lanes imn'iediateiy above and below the treating elements and contiguous thereto, and means for separately discharging cotton and burs from the device.

17. In a cotton boll extracting; and cleaning device, an elongated housing, a train of cotton treating elements in the housing, a cotton lane above the cotton treating elements, a bur lane below the said elements, means for admitting air currents to said lanes, and an air suction. discharge at the end of the housing, said lanes having communication through the train of cotton treating elements, whereby the air currents traveling above and below said elements are equalized.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE E. EVANS. 

